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![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
26 Feb 2018
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 6Strings
Hi Folks,
An update to this thread. Just letting you know that I’ve ridden my R1200GS from Boston>Philly>Denver>Mexico>Central America>Lima, Peru.
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Sweet! Can you tell us how you got across the Darien Gap and how much it ended up costing you?
Quote:
Personally I feel a lot lighter once I’ve reached a town to ditch the bike and walk around on foot or take mass transit. It seems lighter and more flexible. The bike is used to get me between towns.
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That makes all the sense in the world. (The bike also lets you choose which town to go to, choose to go to places with bad accessibility on public transit, easily change your mind, etc.) Remember, you're on an adventure, not on a motorcycle rally - the bike is the tool, not the main purpose.
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![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
26 Feb 2018
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Join Date: Jan 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw
If it is mostly the travelling, I can't help thinking buying an expendible old diesel car or van might be a better solution than a bike.
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Depends on where you're traveling. (And sometimes diesel is not an option. E.g. in Brazil, there are - or used to be, at least - no private cars with diesel engines, only trucks and buses. Something to do with promoting local biofuel use.)
I was on a Honda XR150 in the mountains of northern Vietnam over Christmas, and what struck me was that passenger cars - even pickups/SUVs - are an ostentatious luxury there. The quality of the roads and the traffic inside the cities is such that travel by car is really slow. Scooters are by far the faster, more convenient way to get around (and anything too big to go on a scooter, goes onto a five-ton truck). In a place like that, even if you could buy a cheap old car, your travel would be a lot slower and more infuriating in a car than on a bike.
But in other places, for sure.
EDIT: It's also worth considering one's ability to do long distances on a bike or in a car. Personally for me, I know that on a long-distance drive, I am likely to get bored and uncomfortable, even with audiobooks etc. Yes I have a heater, air conditioner, all that stuff, but I still get out of the car stiff and cranky. On a bike, you would think it is a much more physically demanding activity, and you're likely to be exposed to bad weather, but even after a cold or wet or too hot ride over an entire day, I somehow feel a lot more fresh and ready for action. Maybe it's the constant mental activity and having to pay attention, maybe it's different for other people, but I know that given otherwise equivalent circumstances - nice weather (or proper gear), decent road quality - I always much prefer doing long distances on a bike than behind the wheel of a car.
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![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
27 Feb 2018
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![mollydog's Avatar](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/avatars/Animal036.jpg) |
R.I.P.
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw
If it is mostly the travelling, I can't help thinking buying an expendible old diesel car or van might be a better solution than a bike.
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?Quizas?
But "Traveling" on a bike trumps Van or car in all but worst weather, IMO. You just can't replicate magic motorcycle sensations riding in a cage.
Plus the sporting aspect when riding a good bike on a good road!
But a nicely set up Van or camper can work on some level ... it worked for me doing a couple Mex/Cent.America trips in the 1970's. VW Camper Van.
Later, Chevy Pick-up with big Cab-over Camper sat in it's bed. Honda 50 on front carry rack. 4 guys, 4 surfboards = totally isolated from locals, less Spanish learned
Get to a town, find camping spot or safe place to park, then explore around on the Honda (mostly in shorts and flip flops ![doh](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/smilies/doh.gif) ).
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
Oldbmw has a good point.
If you want to enjoy the destination. A more comfortable and practical way of travel does make a lot of sense. Such as a van.
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Or an Airplane!
Many gear head types enjoy being attached to their bike. That bike becomes a lifeline. Many here would rather fiddle with their bike than roam around local markets, museums or see pyramids.
Some riders seem to spend LOTS of time fixing and searching out parts or mechanics to fix their bike. Read Lois On The Loose with her troublesome Yamaha XT225 Sero. A great experience nonetheless. I think some travelers prefer this over struggling to learn another language or doing full cultural immersion.
I always wondered whatever happened to Lois's hurt girlfriend who crashed in Bolivia??
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
But if you want to enjoy the journey. It's hard to get closer to the road and environment a motorcycle unless you're on a bicycle or walking.
Those tin boxes really do shield you from a lot. Good and bad.
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THIS!
Last edited by mollydog; 27 Feb 2018 at 03:13.
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![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
27 Feb 2018
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Join Date: Dec 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
But if you want to enjoy the journey. It's hard to get closer to the road and environment than on a motorcycle unless you're on a bicycle or walking.
Those tin boxes really do shield you from a lot. Good and bad.
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Its unbeleavable that i would say that but traveling Southern Africa with a rented Hyosung i10 car wasnt very different then traveling by bike two up only we could talk to each other while driving.
We drove most of the time with windows open, the local kids came running to wards us asking for money, touching us through the window, we did hard offroad, got covered in dust (also inside) and got stuck in the mud, wild camped behind some bushes on a field...just as i use to do with a motorcycle but renting a car was cheaper then renting a bike or even two and we were allowed into the game parks and we got the local price because we had a local plate
Individual journey with the car through South Africa to Kruger Park
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![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
28 Feb 2018
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I now have three modes of travel.
Alone bike and tent is my preferred mode UNLESS I get more than two days of being wet, putting away and deploying wet tents quickly loses its appeal. Cold is ok, but I don't like the wet.
Wife and I used a car, the boot was our kitchen with a couple of folding chairs and a table. We used the back seat to store all the gear including a bigger more comfy tent, big comfy sleeping bags etc. At a push we could sleep in the car if it was wet or nowhere to pitch a tent. Trick is to fill footwell so your lower legs are not hanging down but same height as the rest of you. At 70+mpg it is about the same cost as your average bike. Have heater, air con and windows to open. 47 litre tank range is about 660 miles and I carry a spare 10 litres behind the drivers seat (just in case) another 140 miles.
A couple of years ago I bought an old camper van. It is very comfy, very convenient. It is a three season model so extends our travelling time by about three months each year.
Like the man says "Horses for courses".
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
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What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
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"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
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Lots more comments here!
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Diaries of a compulsive traveller
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New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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